Closure means for collapsible tubes



Dec. 20, 1932. J. G. GORDON CLOSURE MEANS FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES FiledOct. 28', 1931 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 20, .1932

UNITED STATES PATENT orncr.

JULIUS-G. GORDON, F YA KIKA, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF 1'0 PETERIEINABDI, OF YAKIHA, WASHINGTON CLOSURE MEANS FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBESApplication fled October 28, 1931. Serial No. 571,514. I

My invention relates to improvements in closure means for collapsibletubes and the primary object of my invention is to provide closure meansof this nature which is arranged to be opened-by pressure of thematerial within a collapsible tube to thereby permit any desired amountof: material to be expelled from the tube andwhich is self closing assoon as pressure on the material within the tube is released.

Other objects of the invention are to provide closure means of thisnature which is very simple and cheap in construction, which does notvadd materially to the cost of production of the tube, and which isreliable and efiicient in operation, always opening easily underpressure to permit outlet of materia from the tube and always closinguickly and" to retain tightly when pressure is release the materialwithin the tube, prevent evaporation or drying out of the material andmaintain such material in a sanitary condition.

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a collapsibletube-constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same substantlally on broken line 22of Fig. 1, parts being shown in elevation and the lower end of the tubebeing broken away.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view substantially on broken line 33 of Fig. 2,.

Fi 4 is a fragmentary. sectional view showing the discharge controlvalve in an open position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view show the valve chamber positionedcoaxial w1th the tube and at right angles to the position in which it isshown in the precedm figures.

ike reference numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews.-

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 the numeral 6 designates a collapsible tube ofthe form commonly used as a receptacle for tooth paste, shaving creams,ointments and the like,

said tube being adapted to be collapsed by external pressure or rolledor folded from the bottom upwardly to force the contents out of theupper end thereof. These collapsible tubes usually have an outlet nippleon the upper end provided with a screw cap designed to be removed andreplaced each time any of the contents of the tube is used. Re-

moving and replacing the usual screw cap means which will be openedautomatically in response to pressure of the contents of the tube andWlllCh will close automatically and without efiort on the part of theuser as soon as the pressure on the contents of the tube is released. Iv

In accordance with my invention, as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,I provide, in connection with the top 7 of the tube 6, a cylindricalvalve chamber 8 which extends cross wise of the top. of the tube and hasa valve member 9 and a compression spring 10 disposed therein. A disc 11is inserted in one end of the receptacle 8 after the valve memher 9 andspring 10 have been placed therein, and said disc is secured in place bcrimping or beading the edge portions 0 the receptacle over the edges ofthe disc as indicated at 12.

A valve seat 13 is formed at the other end of the valve chamber 8 and anangular pasay 14 extends from said valve seat and .communicates with theinterior of said collapsible tube. A discharge opening 15,

through which material may dlscharge is provi ed in the wall of thevalve chamber a short distance from the valve seat. The edges aroundsaid discharge opening 15'are preferably beveled off as at 16 so thatsubstantiall all of the expelled material may be wipe off each time, asby drawing a .brushor the like across said open1ng.- The dis crowdingthe paste-like material back into the tube. A lip 18 overhangs the valveslightly at the location of the discharge opening 15 when said valve isclosed, thus affording a moreefiicient out 011 means and a better seal.

The collapsible tube may be cheaply and easily cast with the severalcavities and passageways 8, 14 and 15 therein. In assembling, the valvemember 9 and spring 10 may be quickly and easily inserted, the disc 11fitted into place and the portions 12 beaded over the edges of said discto hold the same in place. All parts of the tube including the top arepreferably formed of soft metal. The strength of the spring 10 may varyfor materials of different consistency.

In the use of this device, pressure exerted on the tube 6 in the usualmanner will instantly force the valve member 9 to the left from theclosed position shown in Fig. 2 to an open position, as shown in Fig. 4,thus permitting-any desired amount of material from within the tube tobe quickly expelled through the opening 15, as indicated by dotted linesat 19 in Fig. 4. As soon as pressure on the material is relieved thespring 10 will close the valve member 9, thus cutting off the expelledmaterial and effectively sealing the tube.

In the device shown in Fig. 5, the collapsible tube 6' is provided witha co-axially disposed valve chamber 8' having a piston 9 and spring 10'therein and the material s expelled through a discharge opening 15 inthe side of the valve chamber 8. The operation of this device issubstantially the same as the operation of the device shown in Figs. 1to 4:, but it is not so compact nor so convenient in use.

With either form of my device the material within the tube is alwaysinstantly available and is preserved in a clean, moi st and sanitarycondition and all trouble and lnconvenience due to the removal andreplacement of screw caps is done away with.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawing clearly disclose apreferred embodiment of my invention but it Wlll be understood that thisdisclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the inventionmay be made as arefairly within the scope and spirit of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. In devices of the class described, a collapsible tube having a top,a. tubular member having a cylindrical valve chamber formed therein, aseat at one end ofsaid valve chamber, said valve chamber having anopening at said seat end communicating with the interior of said tubeand having a discharge opening on one side at a short distance from saidseat, a cylindrical valve member movable within said valve chamber andhaving a concave end forming a relatively sharp annular face portionarranged to rest on said seat, and a springyieldingly urging said valveagainst said seat said valve being movable by pressure of the materialwithin said tube to uncover said discharge opening.

2. In devices of the class described, a collapsible tube having a top, atubular member extending crosswise of said top and having a cylindricalvalve chamber formed therein, a seat at one end of said valve chamber,said valve chamber having an angularly shaped opening at said seat endcommunicating with the interior of said tube and having a dischargeopening on one side at a short distance from said seat, a cylindricalvalve member movable within said valve chamber and having a concave endforming a relatively sharp annular face portion arranged to rest on saidseat, and a spring yieldingly urging said valve against said seat saidvalve being movable by pressure of the material within said tube touncover said discharge opening.

3. In devices of'the class described, a collapsible tube having a top, atubular member extending crosswise of said top and having a cylindricalvalve chamber formed therein, a seat at one end-of said valve chamber,said valve chamberhaving an angularly shaped opening at said seat endcommunicating with the interior of said tube and having a dischargeopening on one side at a short distance from-said seat, a cylindricalvalve member movable within said valve chamber and having a concave endforming a relatively sharp annular face portion arranged to rest on saidseat, a spring yieldingly urging said 1 valve member against said seat,and a disc

